Metal Cutting Laser Capabilities?

[Herding Cats]

So a few times I have put a small amount of effort into researching what is needed for a laser to cut metals. CO2? Fiber? But I have yet to find much info. The internet seems to be flooded with hobby type lasers and engraving which makes it very difficult to find the info I am seeking.

I'd mainly be interested in cutting 3/8" 52 Rockwell C plate that is currently cut on a plasma at around 50 ipm.

There always seems to be several Mazak CO2 lasers for sale on ebay around the 2Kw-2.5Kw. Can a machine like this even cut 3/8" steel? If so at what speed?

 

[Admin]

I think 2-2.5Kw would be a bit on the light side. The problem I have found with my limited experience is Co2 lasers don't like aluminum very well. The reflection tends to burn things up. I used to have sacrificial taps for chuck jaws cut out in bulk and they had to put brown craft/wrapping paper on top of the sheets to cut the refection down. What we figured our is the Waterjet was slower but more efficient in perishable parts (nozzle and garnet) verses the cups on the laser.

As far as hardened plate I would think 3/8 thick would be ideal for Hi definition Plaz or a waterjet with articulating nozzle for draft comp.

 

[Herding Cats]

Sounds like my best bet is to stick with the plasma table I have. This isn't a mass production job. It's a day or two every month or two. I should probably send the work elsewhere but it's for a couple of customers that chose to use my shop when I first went out on my own.

It's more of a professional courtesy thing that I continue making the parts. I don't want to invest a ton of money into it, but I figured if I could get a used laser, fix it up and make the job easier I would since it would add capability and make for good support equipment.

 

[ChipSplitter]

Fiber lasers are the cat's meow today. We just installed a 6 KW recently. They are production beasts, though. Compared to a plasma table, it's like a Haas Mini Mill vs. an HMC with a pallet pool.

 

[Doug]

You could investigate changing the plasma supply & torch, if you not running a "hi-definition" model, and if your table can utilize
the increased accuracy.

we had some 1.25 thick MS plate cut with one (ox assist) and there was no top edge melting, and cut was very straight.

 

[Herding Cats]

You could investigate changing the plasma supply & torch, if you not running a "hi-definition" model, and if your table can utilize
the increased accuracy.

we had some 1.25 thick MS plate cut with one (ox assist) and there was no top edge melting, and cut was very straight.

It looks like I'll just stick with the plasma and table I have. I'm trying to avoid that type of work and only do it for a select few customers who were with me from the beginning.

I don't have an overhead crane and it's tough to be efficient doing that type of work without one. And I'll be flat out honest, I want to avoid physical labor as much as I can, I am 37 after all....with about 70 years worth of miles

 

[Doug]

It looks like I'll just stick with the plasma and table I have. I'm trying to avoid that type of work and only do it for a select few customers who were with me from the beginning.

I don't have an overhead crane and it's tough to be efficient doing that type of work without one. And I'll be flat out honest, I want to avoid physical labor as much as I can, I am 37 after all....with about 70 years worth of miles

I hear you.

HF can solve your problems....for only $799...

 

[Herding Cats]

No no, I have some monorails and chainfalls around the shop. I mean a proper electric overhead crane with east, west, north, south, up, down boooootons.

 

[Doug]

No no, I have some monorails and chainfalls around the shop. I mean a proper electric overhead crane with east, west, north, south, up, down boooootons.

You mean a bridge crane with a fanuuc on it ???

 

[Herding Cats]

You mean a bridge crane with a fanuuc on it ???

Sure I'd take one of those

I see them used all the time for under $20K. When I build a new shop (hopefully soon) I will install all the iron and rails before the building goes up.

Being I'm a one man show and always will be I don't have to worry about those pesky inspections

 

[Doug]

Sure I'd take one of those

I see them used all the time for under $20K. When I build a new shop (hopefully soon) I will install all the iron and rails before the building goes up.

Being I'm a one man show and always will be I don't have to worry about those pesky inspections

I'm pretty sure MotionGuru has outfitted cranes with CNC controls, so they basically run themselves.

 

[lobust]

When I build a new shop (hopefully soon) I will install all the iron and rails before the building goes up.

Don't be shy with the steelwork. Sucks to be limited by it down the road.

When I first stepped into this workshop there was an ancient 3 tonne crane and a newer 2 tonne electric chain hoist.

When we upgraded them we wanted a pair of 10 tonne cranes but the structural report on the existing rails and supports limited us to a pair of fives with a stipulated dual lift limit of 8 tonnes when the cranes are side by side in the same bay.

We have had to pass on a number of jobs that we could otherwise have done because of that limit.

 

[Garwood]

You wanna trade?

I have a 1KW Mazak CO2 and looking for plasma. The cut conditions sheets I have for it say it will cut 3/8" steel, but I doubt very fast.

I would not recommend buying a used CO2 laser. Fiber is the only way to fly. Wait for fiber prices to settle down then scoop one up.

I built my shop in an ag area. Unincorporated county, no real permits required but I'm only a few minutes from a small town. I bought a used commercial freestanding 5 ton bridge crane, added some wings to it and skinned it with structural insulated metal panels. Looks like a big barn.

If you need a crane inside buy a building with the crane or buy a freestanding crane and turn it into a building.